NATIONAL FOOD PLAN 
                             OUR FOOD FUTURE 
                          
                        
                                                                    
                                                                                         
            © Commonwealth of Australia 2013 
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            Cataloguing data 
            DAFF 2013, National Food Plan, Our food future, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and 
            Forestry, Canberra. 
            ISBN 978-1-76003-000-1 (printed) 
            ISBN 978-1-76003-001-8 (online) 
            Internet 
            National Food Plan, Our food future is available at daff.gov.au/nationalfoodplan 
            Contact 
            Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 
            Phone +61 2 6272 3933 
            Email nationalfoodplan@daff.gov.au 
            Web daff.gov.au/nationalfoodplan 
                                                                                         
                                                National Food Plan Our food future 
         Foreword 
                              
         During the 2010 election the Gillard Government committed to developing Australia’s first 
         National Food Plan to provide a vision for our food future. The National Food Plan is a 
         roadmap for the future of Australia’s food industry. 
         Australia’s food industry stands at a gateway to new opportunities. To take advantage of 
         these, the National Food Plan sets out a framework that will guide the food industry, the 
         community and governments for years to come. 
         From classrooms to kitchens, from fields to factories and from paddocks to Asian markets 
         the decisions that we take individually within a food producing nation spreads across the 
         economy and across communities. 
         Fifteen percent of the Australian workforce is involved in food production, we export 
         $30.5 billion annually and produce enough to feed the country twice over. Food creation 
         is the biggest employer in rural and regional communities. 
         Consumers now have more choice and a wider appreciation of different and diverse foods 
         than at any other time in our history. There is increased demand for food across the 
         world and Asia’s growing middle classes continue to seek higher value food products and 
         services. Australian food is recognised as high-quality, safe and sustainable, all qualities 
         in high demand. 
         The Gillard Government has been implementing a plan for Australian agriculture that first 
         strengthens the foundation and prepares us for the future and emerging challenges. The 
         National Food Plan is the third stage, creating new opportunities. 
         The National Food Plan sets out key goals to grow our domestic industry and increase the 
         value of our food exports. 
         We will invest in our research and development capability so that we remain world 
         leaders in innovation and productivity. We will work to improve access to export markets. 
         We will build productive and collaborative relationships with our trading partners, work 
         with our industry to tackle barriers to trade and promote Australia’s brand for food. We 
         will also work to reduce the regulatory burden for food businesses so they can remain 
         internationally competitive. 
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                                                National Food Plan Our food future 
         Our food system isn’t just about high yield agriculture and exports, it is also about local 
         communities growing, preparing and sharing food. We are committed to supporting the 
         growing numbers of farmers’ markets, food sharing networks and community gardens 
         around the country. We will also work to embed food and agriculture within the national 
         curriculum so that our kids know where food comes from and value the hard working 
         Australians who produce it. 
         The National Food Plan has been developed by the community, industry and government 
         working together. The Gillard Government has developed it to be owned and driven by 
         the whole nation. 
         Senator the Hon. Joe Ludwig 
         Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 
         Senator for Queensland 
                                                
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